Advanced Certificate in Management

Purpose

The purpose of the Advanced Certificate in Management is to enable learners to integrate theory and practice and to become adaptable by developing an understanding of the nature of junior and middle management work in a complex and ambiguous business environment. The qualification will expose learners to critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making through conceptual knowledge acquisition and practical application of the subject matter. The qualification will address skills development needs of South Africa while strategically positioning professionals to meet the challenges and opportunities in South Africa's dynamic business environment, as well as positioning qualifying learners to anticipate the challenges of the future and the changing global business context.

The qualification will address skills development needs through the following subject matter areas, an approach to holistic management competence in response to the need for versatile management professionals. The qualification aims to foster a holistic understanding of management principles and practices. Qualifying learners will be equipped to contribute meaningfully to organisations, whilst intimately understanding the nuances of local and global business dynamics and future needs. Digital business leadership, acknowledging the urgency of digital transformation, places a significant emphasis on leading digital business transformation. Organisations must embrace digital technologies, and this qualification will put qualifying learners at the forefront of this evolution, contributing to the overall quotient of digital resilience and competitiveness. Financial acumen for addressing economic challenges in a local and global context underscores the importance of financial prudence. The Introduction to Accounting and Finance module directly addresses this need, ensuring that qualifying learners possess financial acumen crucial for navigating economic fluctuations and contributing to sustainable financial practices within organisations.

Data-driven decision-making drives Innovation in a data-intensive era. Organizational and regional future growth hinges on innovation fueled by understanding data and deriving insights from data. The Introduction to Data Analytics and Business Intelligence module aligns with the intention to foster innovation through data-driven insights, ensuring that qualifying learners can contribute to the data revolution across industries both locally and internationally. Contextualising organisational behaviour and ethical leadership, the

qualification emphasises organisational behaviour and human resource management in the unique context of South Africa's diverse workforce. Qualifying learners will lead with cultural intelligence, fostering inclusive environments whilst having a keen understanding and being sensitive to the critical 21st-century skills required for driving positive and impactful organisational change and practices. The Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility module aligns with overarching responsibility and commitment to ethically aligned business practices.

Project and Risk Management for Increased Resilience consider the need for national and regional resilience, and the inclusion of project and risk management modules is strategic. Qualifying learners will contribute to successful project implementations and adeptly manage risks, aligning with the goals for sustainable development and effective governance. The qualification is deeply rooted in South Africa's current skills development imperatives and future-focused requirements. Qualifying learners will not only be equipped to address immediate challenges but will also be positioned as managers/leaders contributing to the nation's sustainable and inclusive economic growth. The qualification aligns with the South African government's National Development Plan (NDP) 2030, which emphasises the importance of skills development and innovation in driving economic growth and social development.

The qualification seeks to assist qualifying learners in developing effective management skills whilst allowing for the application of theory across different areas of an organisation. In doing so, the qualification speaks directly to the need for skills development at this level, the opportunity to enhance career prospects, positively contributes to the reskilling and upskilling agenda, and allows qualifying learners to embrace challenges and opportunities in the constantly changing business environment. The qualification also aligns with key skills needs and enhances organisational competitiveness within the local and broader competitive landscape.

Upon successful completion of the qualification, qualifying learners will be able to

• Apply fundamental principles of management to solve business problems in various contexts.
• Analyse and use financial information to make informed business decisions.
• Use data analysis and business intelligence tools to support data-driven decision-making processes.
• Apply organisational behaviour and human resource management concepts to optimise employee performance and motivation.
• Evaluate ethical issues and develop strategies for responsible business practices and corporate social responsibility.

Rationale

The need for the qualifications stems from today's rapidly evolving business landscape, where organisational success and focus need to remain on repositioning these managers for maximum return on investment.

However, the conventional managerial skillset is often insufficient to meet the challenges presented by digital transformation, globalisation, and the demand for ethical leadership. Organisations are increasingly recognizing the need for managers who can navigate complex, interconnected issues while embracing technological advancements.

Despite having the most advanced economy on the African continent, South Africa has not only performed poorly relative to its continental peers but also lagged other fast-growing middle-income countries such as those in the BRICS bloc.

Furthermore, the South African labour market is hampered by its labour force being low-skilled, and only a small section is highly skilled. This has led to high returns on skilled labour, thereby increasing wage inequality and poverty.

The educational composition of the South African labour force has been changing over time. Participation in tertiary education has critical implications for a country's relative position in being able to produce human capital stock, something that remains an integral input in an economy's production function. Access to upskilling and reskilling opportunities is vital for millions of employees who have been propelled into part-time work or unemployment. Having the right skills means being more employable or being able to stay employed more easily and manage job transitions more smoothly. This requires an expansion of upskilling and reskilling opportunities for all people, irrespective of their qualification or skills level, and hence speaks directly to the "large middle-level" of employees that this qualification intends to target.

The qualification will equip learners with theoretical competencies in various aspects of management development, such as management principles and practices, digital business transformation, accounting and finance, data analytics and business intelligence, organisational behaviour and human resource management, business ethics and corporate social responsibility, project management, and risk management.

Trends such as widening of the management skills gap, the rapidly changing local and global business environment, the need to reskill and upskill, and offering career advancement opportunities form the primary drivers for the qualification.

Since all sectors of the economy need skilled managers, the qualification also aims to provide learners with both a conceptual and an introductory understanding and engagement with the management landscape across different sectors in South Africa. The qualification is designed to develop the skills and knowledge of individuals who aspire to play a role in their organisations and the wider economy, which enhances, diversifies, and strengthens the management and leadership base for innovation and proficiency-based products and services.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Assessed against the outcomes of equivalent qualifications to determine compliance with access requirements. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications. RPL for access, credits from modules, and credits for or towards the qualification are applied. Learners must, at the time of application, provide proof in the form of an academic record or other documentation to substantiate that they have the required level of knowledge and expertise. Such competencies may help gain advanced placement.

RPL for access

• Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
• To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations, should they be allowed entrance into the qualification.

They must provide evidence of relevant work experience and competencies that align with the academic requirements of the qualification they are seeking. Candidates undergo a pre-assessment that may include guidance sessions, self-assessment, and submission of evidence like work portfolios or a formal assessment, which involves a more detailed evaluation, possibly including interviews, additional tests, and assessments by an RPL panel to determine the candidate's eligibility for admission based on their prior learning and experience.

RPL for exemption of modules

Learners may apply for exemption from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

A panel assesses the submitted evidence to determine if the candidate's knowledge and skills meet the learning outcomes of the module(s). The process may include practical assessments, portfolio reviews, or challenge examinations. If the assessment is successful, the candidate is granted credit for the module(s), which count towards the completion of their qualification.

The RPL assessments adhere to fair, valid, and reliable practices by aligning the assessment criteria with the qualification's learning outcomes. This alignment ensures that earners who gain access or exemptions through RPL meet the same stringent standards as those who have completed the conventional pathway, maintaining the integrity and standards of the qualification.

Diverse sources of learning, including formal, non-formal, and informal experiences, are recognized. The evaluation process is consistently applied across all applications and conducted by assessors trained in RPL practices and familiar with specific qualification standards. This consistency ensures that learners are treated fairly and equitably. RPL involves applying the principles outlined in the National Policy and Criteria for Designing and Implementing Assessment for NQF Qualifications and Part-Qualifications and Professional Designations in South Africa.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Higher Certificate in General Management, NQF Level 5.

Or

• Higher Certificate in Management, NQF Level 5.

Or

• Higher Certificate in the appropriate field, NQF Level 5.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at the National Qualifications Framework, Level 6, totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 6, 120 Credits

• Mnagement Principles and Practices, 15 Credits.
• Leading Digital Business Transformation, 15 Credits.
• Introduction to Accounting and Finance, 15 Credits.
• Introduction to Data Analytics and Business Intelligence, 15 Credits.
• Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management, 15 Credits.
• Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility, 15 Credits.
• Project Management, 15 Credits.
• Risk Management, 15 Credits.

1. Apply fundamental principles of management to solve business problems in various contexts.
2. Analyse and use financial information to make informed business decisions.
3. Use data analysis and business intelligence tools to support data-driven decision-making processes.
4. Apply organisational behaviour and human resource management concepts to optimise employee performance and motivation.
5. Evaluate ethical issues and develop strategies for responsible business practices and corporate social responsibility
6. Analyse and implement digital business transformation strategies to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving business landscape.
7. Use project management techniques to plan, execute, and control projects in a variety of business contexts.
8. Develop and implement risk management plans and strategies to help achieve an organisation's goals and objectives through the effective understanding and evaluation of the different types of risks faced by organisations, including financial, operational, legal and reputational risks.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Discuss and apply fundamental management principles for resolving business challenges.
• Apply knowledge of key concepts and theories.
• Utilise the different models of management in preparation for more advanced management roles.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Display the effective use of financial and accounting information to make informed business decisions.
• Apply fundamental accounting and finance concepts in financial decision-making.
• Interpret financial statements and budgets to draw up a report.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Apply the fundamentals of data analytics and business intelligence tools.
• Display decision-making skills utilising business intelligence and visualisation tools.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Analyse individual and group behaviour in an organisational context.
• Assess the impact of organisational culture on employee engagement.
• Evaluate human resource management practices, including recruitment, training and performance management.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Discuss the impact of ethics and corporate social responsibility and apply them to a business environment.
• Analyse ethical dilemmas in a work-based environment.
• Develop strategies for ethical decision-making.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Evaluate the impact of digitisation in an evolving business environment.
• Review and report on the digital readiness of an organisation.
• Implement digital transformation strategies through the various levels of an organisation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Apply project management skills and techniques for the successful rollout of a project.
• Develop project plans, schedules and budgets.
• Evaluate project outcomes and make recommendations for improvement.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Discuss and manage risk across a business environment.
• Identify and report on potential risks in business operations.
• Create and monitor risk management strategies across a business based on changing circumstances.